Wire fence



H. S. MORAN. WIRE FENCE.

(No Model.)

No. 428,336. Patented Mar. 11, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE S. MORAN, OF ALEDO, TEXAS.

WI R E F E N C E SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,336, dated March 11, 1890.

Application filed July 22, 1889. Serial No. 318,286. (No model.)

To wZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE S. MORAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aledo, in the county of Parker and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wire Fences, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to wire fencing; and it consists in the construction and combination of devices hereinafter described and claimed, whereby the wire cables can be conveniently and freely supported at suitable points by means of spirally-coiled suspensiondoops at tached to certain fence-posts, so that While securely braced to remain in position the wire cable will not be subjected to chafing or other ingury.

Figure 1 is a view of a section of wire fence embodying myimprovenients. Fig. 2 is a View of my fence-wire clamp or grip. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same, showing it set into a post. Fig. 4. is a view of the wire-cable-supporting loop.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the end or corner posts at opposite ends of a line of fencing, and 2 designates posts that are set into the ground adjacent to the end or corner posts. Between the posts 2, and at any suitable or desirable distances apart, are set any number of posts 3, accord ing to the length of fencin These posts 3 may be placed long distances apart.

The corner-posts 1 are provided at suitable heights from the ground with holes 4, bored through said posts in the direction of the line of fence. These holes are bored at the points where it is desired to place the wire cables 5, which may be of any suitable make, either barbed or not, as preferred.

To the outer side of each corner post 1, either in or over the holes 4, are attached my fence-wire clamps 6, which may be made of malleable iron or other suitable metal. Each wire-c1a1np6 consists of a base-plate 7, that may be either circular or rectangular, as pre ferred, and which is provided with a central perforation 8 for passage of the wire cable. From the face of the plate 7, below the perfo ration 8, projects a fixed lug 9, that partly over laps said perforation. The face of the plate 7 is also provided with a lug 10, supporting a transversely-arranged pivot-pin 11, on which a cam-faced dog 12 is mounted. The opposing faces of the fined lug 9 and swinging dog 12 are serrated, as shown, to securely grip and clamp the wire cable, and thus hold it from tension on the wire serves to tighten the grip of the clamp.

The wireclamps 6 may be secured to the posts by inserting them in the holes 4, or in mortises surrounding one end of said holes;

or the base-plate of the clamp may be secured directly against the side of the post and over the hole therein through which the wire cable is be passed. The wire cables, being passed through the holes 4 of the posts and through the clamps 6, are drawn taut, and then securely anchored by the grip of the serrated lugs 9 and dogs 10 bearing thereon. Besides attaching the clamps 6 to the end or corner posts, they should also be provided at suitable intermediate points on some of the posts 3, wherever it is desirable to provide means for tightening the cables. In long lines offencing stretching-stations should be established at con venient points, where post-s should be bored and fitted with wire-clamps 6, as at the corner posts, forthe purpose from time to time of taking up slack in the wire cables and keeping them taut, for 011 this depends the efficiency of wire fencing. To such in termediate posts as are not provided with wire-clamps, I attach wire loops 13 for re oeiving and holding the wire cables in posi* tion. These loops 13 are preferably made of strap-iron, though any other suitable mate rial may be employed. Each loop consists of a spirally coiled strap of such length as to form a single diagonal loop or ring of the desired diameter to admit the free play of a wire cable even when furnished with barbs, the ends of the strap being inclined in oppo site directions to form diagonal attachingarms 14, as shown.

rated at their ends for passage of nails or screws, and are so arranged as to come in proper position for attaching them to the front of a fence post, thus forming a loop or circle of sufficient diameter to allow any kind of barbed wire topass freely through it when. in position.

The arms let are perfoslipping, and in such a way that increased At suitable intervals I may arrange vertical stays 15 to brace the wire cables.

Between the corner-posts 1 and adjacent posts 2, I prefer to arrange diagonal braces 16, the pointed ends of which are set in notches or mortises formed in said posts, and I may also connect the tops of the posts 2 with the lower parts of the corner-posts 1 by means of cables 17 or other bracing devices.

By referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the edges of the spirally-coiled loops 13 are beveled or bent slightly outward, thus preventing barbs from catching in the loop and pulling it off or out of position when the cables are stretched or subjected to strain. It will thus be seen that these loops afford a free suspension for the cables, so that they can be readily tightened and the slack taken up'b'y means of the clamping devices before described, without any liability of exerting strain on the suspension-loops 13, through which the cables can pass freely in either direction even when provided with barbs. The oblique direction of the spirally-coiled loop 13 with relation to its attaching-arms 14 serves to brace the device laterally in either direction, and the loop being somewhat open or apart at its back readily admits the wire cable after being stretched and before the loop is secured in position. It will be observed that when the loop is in place it affords a permanent free suspension for the cable with ample room for its vertical and longitudinal play therein, and without liability of displacement.

By means of the wire-tightening clamps 6,

to secure the cables permanently taut, and

3 claim is-- greatest possible elasticity and firmness, in

which the wire cables can be readily adjusted and are better enabled to resist strains or injury.

Having thus described my invention, what I 1. In a Wire fence, the combination, with the fence-posts and wire cables, of the spirally coiled suspension-loops, each ,having a diagonal central portion 13, provided with beveled edges to prevent the fence-barbs from catching on the loops, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a Wire fence, the herein-described suspension-loop, consisting of the spirally-twisted metal strap provided with the diagonallylooped central portion 13 to receive the wire cable and having its ends 14. adapted for attachment to a fence-post, the edges of said central looped portion being beveled or turned outward to prevent the fence-barbs from catching thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HORACE S. MORAN. Witnesses:

WALTER S. FANT, WILLIAM W. DAVIS. 

